What's New at FFTA?

Adoption and the Child Tax Credit
With the 2019 tax-filing season underway, a critical issue for families filing for the Child Tax Credit using an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) has been brought to our attention. As a result of tax law changes made in the 2017 tax reform law (known as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", P.L. 115-97), now only a Social Security Number (SSN) is acceptable for claiming the Child Tax Credit. As a result, the Child Tax Credit cannot be claimed using an ATIN (or any other type of taxpayer identification number other than an SSN).

FFTA Memories

On October 3rd, Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. (FFTA), a NY and CT-authorized non-profit
adoption placement agency and resource center based in Rye Brook, hosted "An Evening at
Crawford Park Mansion," its fifth annual gourmet food tasting and silent auction event. Generous
local sponsors and auction item contributors were vital to the evening's success.
FFTA's Executive Director, Joy S. Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, who founded the agency in 2007 with her
husband and adoption attorney, Michael S. Goldstein, Esq., LCSW, was inspired by the generosity
and dedication of attendees, community volunteers and contributors. "These collective efforts
greatly enhance our ability to sustain and expand our outreach and education efforts in the
community for which FFTA receives no fees," said Mrs. Goldstein. Proceeds raised enable FFTA to
develop new programming with the continued goal of increasing knowledge and understanding
of adoption issues. "Our mission is to increase positive adoption awareness, empower families
and serve the community and we pride ourselves on offering services and support to those who
need it,"she said.

In addition to FFTA staff, members of its Board, and committed volunteers, also lending support to
the event was notable guest Judge Kathie E. Davidson, Supervising Judge of the 9
th District of the
Family Court, and Maria Recine, Esq, Court Attorney and Referee. The Judge, who is running for
re-election unopposed, spoke about the valuable work of FFTA and the positive impact it has on
those it serves.

The event also featured a powerful presentation of families that FFTA helped create, as well as the
number of children waiting for permanent homes in the foster care system. The presentation
reinforced a simple fact - children belong with families - and highlighted the critical fork in the
road when states and government attempt to become substitute parents to these 125,000+
children.

Several local restaurants prepared delicious tasting dishes for the event. Participants included
Rye's Morgan's Fish House and Ruby's Oyster Bar; Roasted Peppers in Mamaroneck; California
Pizza Kitchen in Scarsdale; Blue Moon Café in Bronxville; and Acuario's in Port Chester. The wine
was provided by Aries Wine and Spirits in White Plains. All Star Beverages and Yonkers Brewing
Company, both in Yonkers, provided the beer. Gourmet desserts were provided by the Melting
Pot in White Plains, and Cerbone's in Rye Brook. Music for the evening was provided by Fred A.
Hudson, lll of South Carolina. Additional sponsors transforming the Mansion with graceful finishing
touches included White Plains Linen and Frank's House of Flowers in Mamaroneck, who
contributed stunning floral arrangements.

Located in Rye Brook, FFTA hosted the event in the community again this year, following the
success of last year’s event and in keeping with FFTA’s community oriented mission. Generous
local participating sponsors and auction item contributors were vital to the evening’s success.

FFTA’s Executive Director, Joy S. Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, who founded the agency in 2007 with her
husband and adoption attorney, Michael S. Goldstein, Esq. LCSW, was inspired by the generosity
of those participating and by the dedication of local volunteers and contributors. “All of these
collective efforts greatly enhance our ability to sustain and expand our outreach and education
efforts in the community for which FFTA receives no fees.” Proceeds raised will enable FFTA to
develop new opportunities and programming with the continued goal of increasing knowledge
and understanding of issues of adoption. “We pride ourselves on our mission to increase positive
adoption awareness, empower families and serve the community,” Ms. Goldstein stated. In
addition to FFTA staff, members of the board, and committed volunteers, also lending support to
the event was notable guest New York State Assemblyman George Latimer, who bolstered live
auction bidding and spoke about the impact of participation on those served by the non-profit
agency.

An Evening at Crawford Park Mansion 2011

Press Release
October 14, 2011

On October 13th, Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. (FFTA), a NY and CT- authorized
adoption placement agency and resource center held its third annual gourmet food tasting and
silent auction event, “An Evening at Crawford Park Mansion.” Located in Rye Brook, FFTA hosted
the event closer to home this year and stated that the majority of donations came from local
businesses and area merchants.

FFTA’s Executive Director, Joy S. Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, who
founded the agency in 2007 with her husband and adoption attorney, Michael S. Goldstein, was
proud and appreciative of the involvement of the community and those supporting FFTA. “Everyone says that contributions to local charities are down this year due to a slow economy, but
the commitment and generosity of local businesses has been truly amazing and has made a
difference in the success of our agency and the important work that we do. We couldn’t be more
impressed.”

Proceeds raised from ticket sales and the silent auction will enable FFTA to expand outreach
efforts and to offer a more comprehensive range of services in the community including free
educational programming to schools, hospitals, clinics and prisons. “We pride ourselves on our
mission to raise awareness of and sensitivity to adoption while increasing access to our unique
approach and expertise,” Ms. Goldstein stated. In addition to FFTA members of the board, staff
and volunteers, also lending support to the event was notable guest, Village of Port Chester
Trustee Joseph Kenner.

Evening at Stonewall Pond 2010

On Thursday, September 23rd, Forever Families Through Adoption (FFTA) of Rye Brook, NY
greeted 100 guests under a white tent on a clear night for a gourmet tasting event and silent
auction at the Stonewall Pond Estate in Greenwich, CT for a charity event. This was the second
annual gourmet event benefiting FFTA, a NY and CT licensed adoption placement agency and
resource center.

This year's event has already raised $15,000 in ticket sales and donations, with additional
proceeds from the silent auction still being counted. The money raised will be used for education
and outreach programs in schools, hospitals, prisons and community centers in both NY and CT,
and towards the creation of a mentoring program for teen adoptees.

Joy and Michael Goldstein co-founded FFTA in April 2007. Michael is an adoption attorney with
his own law firm, and he and his wife are both social workers. Together they are adoptive parents
of three who have worked alongside each other helping families with the adoption process for
more than 25 years. "We decided to open a nonprofit adoption agency to be able to provide
more services to our clients," Joy said. "And most importantly to be able to educate the
community, professionals and students in the school systems, patients in the local hospitals, and
provide outreach to pregnant women that are incarcerated and think they have no options other
than state foster care for their unplanned pregnancies."

Shelly Perlman Foster

We are very sad to report the untimely death of Shelly Perlman Foster on Monday, March 8, 2010. Shelly was President of the Board of Directors of FFTA and one of its strongest supporters since its earliest days. Shelly fought a brave and courageous battle for three and a half years and did so with dignity, a positive spirit and always with a smile on her face. Shelly will be sadly missed by the many whose lives she touched along the way.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Shelly’s devoted husband, Duncan, to her loving sons Jonathan and Harrison, to her adoring parents Doris and Bert and sister Ellen.

Shelly requested that any donations made to FFTA in her memory be used towards outreach and education in the school systems and hospital programs. If you would like information about donating or have any other questions, please contact FFTA # 914-939-1180.

Evening at Stonewall Pond

On September 10th, 2009 Forever Families Through Adoption (FFTA), held their first annual fundraiser, “An Evening at Stonewall Pond” in Greenwich, CT at the home of Board member Betsy Sorrel Martin and her husband Ken Martin.

The event was a great success consisting of a gourmet food from local restaurants such as Solaia Enoteca & Ristorante in Greenwich, Café Mirage (Port Chester), Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro and Morgans Fish House in Rye, Truffles Caterers (Port Chester), Sonora (Port Chester) and wine tasting sponsored by local merchants The Wine Gallery in Rye Brook and Wine at Five in Rye, along with a silent auction. All proceeds went to benefit the New York/ CT non-profit adoption placement agency and resource center that’s mission is to help children find their forever families and keep “harder to place” children out of the foster care system.